Device for adjusting type in hand-stamps



rm Model.)

J. 0. WARD, DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING TYPE IN HANDSTAMPS.

No. 577,336. Patented Feb. 16,: 1897-.

JAMES COOK \VARD, OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS.

DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING TYPE IN HAND-STAMPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 577,336, dated February16, 1897.

Application filed August 2'7, 1896. $erial No. 604,111. (No model.) i

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES COOK WARD, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Little Rock, in the county of Pulaski and State ofArkansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means forFacilitating the Interchange and Adjustment of Type in Hand-Stamps; andI do declare the follow ing to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to whichit appertains to make and use the same, reference being had.

tain new and useful device for the use of postmasters and postal clerks,(the latter especially,) in connection with the usual dating andcanceling stamps, for the purpose of facilitating the adjustment of thetype therein. Stamps of this kind as commonly used are provided withcertain fixed type-characters and also with certain removable andinterchangeable type, the lattter being usually employed for markingdates or time and require to be frequently removed or replaced, beingheld in place by a thumb set-screw. In order that these types may make alegible impression, it is necessary that they be adjusted withconsiderable accuracy with relation to each other and with reference tothe fixed characters, whereby their type-faces shall be in the sameplane. Considerable difficulty has been experienced in making suchadjustment, especially in moving postal cars, and this is a frequentcause of the illegible postm arks found on mail-matter. It has also beendifficult to secure the adjustment of the type when made, owing to thefact that the clerk is unable to fiX the set-screw sufficiently tightwith his fingers.

The present invention is more particularly designed to obviate thisdifficulty and to en- I able the clerk to readily secure and maintain anaccurate adjustment of the type at all times.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination ofparts, all as hereinafter described, and pointed out in the appendedclaims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the letter A designates a postalhand-stamp of the class above referred to and having the fixedtype-characters a, the interchangeable type a, seated in a recess orsocket of the stamping-face, a set-screw a and a canceling attachment aB designates a device for facilitating the adjustment of theinterchangeable type,which consists of a flanged plate or cup of theproper size to fit loosely over the working face of the stamp. It ispreferably provided with a bottom lining b, of rubber or other materialof like flexible or yielding character, to prevent injury to thetype-faces.

In operation the type a are loosely placed in the stamp. This cup isapplied thereto and the whole is inverted. The type will then drop downinto the cup against its bottom face into accurate adjustment no matterwhether they are of the same or of different lengths, and by tighteningthe screw While in this position such adjustment is secured.

As stated above, considerable difficulty has.

been found in fixing the screw with the fingers sufficiently tight tosecure the adjustment. In the present case I form the head of this screwof the proper form to receive a thumb wrench or key D, providedtherefor, and connect said wrench or key with the cup B by a chain orthe like of sufficient length to enable the wrench to be operated whileth cup is applied to the stamp.

When provided with this device, which may be carried in the pocket orotherwise kept at hand, the clerk has at his command convenient andefficient means for securing and maintaining an accurate adjustment ofthe interchangeable type of his stamp.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The herein-described device for use with hand-stamps which areprovided with interchangeable type for facilitating the adjustment ofsuch type, said device comprisii'ig a flanged plate 01' cup, adapted tofit over the type-carrying end of the stamp in the inanner substantiallyas specified.

2. The herein-described device for use with hand-stamps which areprovided with interchangeable type for facilitating the adjustment ofsuch type, said device comprising a flanged plate 01' cup, adapted tofit over the type-carrying end of the stamp, said plate or cup having ayielding interior bottom wall, substantially as specified.

3. The herein-described device for use with hand-stamps which areprovided with interchangeable type and with a set-screw for se-

